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Veterinary Services: Animal Welfare

Asked by Ruth JonesLabourDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 21 April 2026UIN 126679

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government's Animal Welfare Strategy's commitment to work with the veterinary profession to reduce tail docking will involve specific guidance for vets to ensure they are not authorising illegal mutilations.

Answered by Dame Angela Eagle

The Department has recently engaged with the Pig Veterinary Society and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons regarding reducing the incidence of pig tail docking, and we are now carefully considering the appropriate next steps, including the possibility of developing further guidance for veterinarians.

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